I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and Happy NewYear! I can’t believe it’s 2014. I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year! I was thinking about what I want to focus on this year – you know “New Year’s Resulutions.” (The thought of it sends me into panic mode for some reason.) Among things I want to do are learn the guitar, practice the piano more and learn to save money (LOL). But those aren’t really the important things. So I gave it some thought and the quote “Do all things with Love” kept coming into my mind. I am hoping this will be my little motto for the year. Ya, it’s kind of cheesy but once I gave it some thought, I loved it. For example, when I am packing lunches in the morning, I can remember to do so with love and remember how much I love my children and I am happy to get to pack them their lunches everyday! When I am doing load after load of laundry, I can have more love and remember how thankful I am to take care of my family….and so on….. I think focusing on Love will help me to slow down, enjoy my children, and focus on what’s important. What are you focusing on in 2014?

Attention Activity:
Spread out a quilt or blanket and have everyone come sit on it. (It would be fun to do this outside if the weather permits.) Tell everyone you are going on a pretend picnic. Then play the following game:

The person that is “It” begins by saying, “Hi, my name is ___________ and I am going on a picnic. I am bringing my _______________. Ahead of time the “It” person thinks of a pattern that the others in the group must guess. For example, she could say her name is Amanda and she is bringing her Aunt to the picnic. The pattern would be you bring something that begins with the letter of your first name to the picnic. Then it goes to the next person and the next person says, “Hi my name is ________ and I am bringing my __________ to the picnic, may I come?” If the 2nd person has figured out the pattern, the “It” person will say, “Yes.” This continues until everyone can come to the picnic. You can start a new round and the next “It” player can decide a new pattern. Examples are: Choosing things in alphabetical order, choosing things with 2 syllables, choosing things with double letters, choosing items in a certain food group or category. You can also make this more challenging by having each player repeat what has been said before them, “Hi, I am Amanda and I am going on a picnic. I am bringing, apples, bananas, cherries, and dates.” The pattern here is alphabetical fruit! This might be hard for small children, so adapt as necessary.

Scripture Discussion:

In the bible during Jesus’ time, there is a story about a different kind of picnic. There were many people following Jesus all day, watching him perform miracles. They became very, very hungry and there wasn’t anywhere to buy food or enough money if it were possible to purchase it.

Read the Story of the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes in John 6:5-13 and Mark 6:34-44

How many people were gathered together?

Where did they sit?

Where did they find the fish and the loaves?

What size were they?

Was everyone able to eat?

Who did Jesus ask to give the food to the multitude?

How much food was left over?

What would you have thought if you were part of the 5,000 people?

Christ’s miracles offered a proof that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. He said, “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me”. Through miracles mankind “might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing…might have life through His name.” (John 20:31)

“Have our children felt the power of the Savior’s miracles? Jesus healed the leper, gave sight to the blind. He fed the 5,000, calmed the sea, and raised Lazarus from the dead. Do our children believe that “it is by faith that miracles are wrought,” and do they pray for miracles in their own lives?“Elder Neal L. Andersen

If you have time and your children are a little bit older, you can do this Miracles of Jesus matching game. It would also be nice to discuss more of Jesus’ miracles or even watch a few brief videos depicting the miracles.

Are there Miracles today? YES!!!

“Miracles come to those who have faith. Remember, faith proceeds and produces miracles for which we have no immediate explanation within our experience.” Elder Marcus B. Nash.

Talk about miracles you have seen in your life and in your family. Explain that miracles are very personal.

Activity: Faith Fish

Print and cut out the fish. Attach a paperclip to each one. Attach a maganet to a piece of string and attach it to a sitck or dowel (make a fishing pole). Have each of the children take turns “fishing”. You can set up a sheet or fish over the back of the couch or off the stairs, etc. When the child catches a fish, have them read what is on the fish and tell how that can help us build our faith so we can recieve miracles in our life.

We are only a few days into our 14-Day Walk with Christ and it’s going great. My children are so excited for each lesson. They are really taking it seriously. The first night they asked me to read what they wrote in their journals and I started crying while I read each entry. It’s been really touching. I hope you are having memorable experiences with your family too!

I am so excited for today! Elisa and Caroline at Mormon Mommy Blogs have created this amazing Easter printable to participate with our 14-Day Walk with Christ.

Mormon Mommy Blogs was named one of the top 100 Christian Blogs for Women. Mormon Mommy Blogs is not just for the Mormon woman. It is a gathering place for people with similar values, who can count on each other to share, support, and engage. I have been a fan of their blog for a long time. Make sure to check out all their fabulous ideas!

For the past few months we have been calling Marbles a “Cotton Headed Ninny Muggins” from the movie “Elf”. I couldn’t resist this elf costume! In honor of the little Bengal I made this printable – perfect for your Christmas decor. If you can’t download the printable, leave your email address in the comments & I will email you the original file.

Sometimes we just call him “Ninny Muggins” for short. It really suits him!!!

I found these FREE printables at J and A & Company. She had a gallery wall of all these cute printables in her bathroom. These are my renditions:I bought these two matching frames at a garage sale on Saturday – $1 for the pair! They were black with black & white drawings of Thailand in them. Out came the pictures and out came the spray paint! Now they are white – I kept the mattes the same and framed the bathroom words. Love them!!

The larger frame I had. The matte was really cream so I spray painted the matte white!! Did you know you can spray paint ANYTHING!!!! I love the little birdies in the art work. Super cute!

I found these FREE printables at J and A & Company. She had a gallery wall of all these cute printables in her bathroom. These are my renditions:I bought these two matching frames at a garage sale on Saturday – $1 for the pair! They were black with black & white drawings of Thailand in them. Out came the pictures and out came the spray paint! Now they are white – I kept the mattes the same and framed the bathroom words. Love them!!

The larger frame I had. The matte was really cream so I spray painted the matte white!! Did you know you can spray paint ANYTHING!!!! I love the little birdies in the art work. Super cute!